hayleyqreads 's review for:

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Sarah Underwood’s debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of the tragic fate of Queen Penelope’s twelve hanged maids from The Odyssey, which weaves a tragic tale of love, sacrifice and the cruel grip of destiny. 

Set in a cursed Ithaca, twelve maidens are sacrificed each spring to appease Poseidon. The story follows Leto, a girl condemned to die, who awakens on a mysterious island instead. There, she meets Melantho, a girl with secrets as deep as the sea. Together they embark on a mission to break the cursed cycle by killing the last prince of Ithaca before the tides of fate drown them all. As their bond grows, so does the realisation that they are not just fighting for freedom, but for each other.

Sarah Underwood’s writing is lush and immersive, the kind that makes you feel like you’re right there in it with them. The main characters are messy, fierce with a romance that has just the right amount of angst and heartbreak to keep you wanting more. The themes of isolation, loss, and duty ring painfully true, making this an emotionally gripping read.

If you’re looking for a book that will pull you in, break your heart, and leave you needing to lie down in a dark room when it’s over, The Lies We Sing to the Sea is the one.